Chapter 46 – Retribution

Yun Fu struggled to her feet, staggering to the camera, shaking her head desperately as she sobbed, tears streaming down her face, full of grievance. “No! Don’t believe it, everyone, that woman isn’t me.”

“It’s true she’s not you now, but that was you before the surgery. Yun Fu, I was the one who lent you the money for your plastic surgery. So many years have passed—when do you plan to pay me back?”

Yun Fu’s resentful gaze landed on Mu Ran’s calm, faintly smiling face. She was shocked—when had her gentle senior become so ruthless?

Mu Ran’s rosy lips curved. “I told you, don’t provoke me. Only a fool goes looking for trouble.”

Yun Fu collapsed to the ground, refusing to look at the people around her, all of whom now avoided her as if she were venomous.

“It’s impossible, impossible! You’re slandering me, framing me! Mu Ran, you hypocritical woman, you never treated me as your sister!”

“Why should I treat you as my sister?” Mu Ran sneered. She simply disdained to stoop to Yun Fu’s level—she wasn’t a fool to be trampled.

Mu Ran’s eyes, cold as ice, lingered on the disheveled, aggrieved woman on the ground. She never imagined things with Yun Fu would come to this.

In university, she had truly liked this innocent, doll-faced girl, even giving her scholarship money to help her. Unexpectedly, Yun Fu, like Fu Jiaojiao, pretended to be close on the surface while undermining her behind her back.

In her past life, Mu Ran hadn’t participated in this variety show because of Bai Zehan and had no dealings with Yun Fu. But now, Yun Fu’s true colors were laid bare.

The very air around the production crew had turned cold and tense from Mu Ran’s presence. Suddenly, the shrill sound of police sirens came from nearby.

A few minutes later, the police helped Yun Fu up from the ground and escorted her into the patrol car.

Inside the car, Yun Fu’s face was ashen, her whole body drained as if her very marrow had been extracted—powerless, pained, and utterly desolate.

After a moment, she closed her bloodshot eyes. When she opened them again, they were black and fathomless, icy to the core.

She felt the agony of utter ruin, and swore that when she returned, she would make Mu Ran suffer a fate worse than death.

“I’m very sorry for the trouble we’ve caused you all, especially you, Xiao Ran. I’ll contact Yun Fu’s company and terminate her contract.” Gao Mingliang’s apologetic voice broke the oppressive silence.

“Everyone, let’s head back to the farmhouse to warm up a bit.”

Mu Ran remained unmoved, her expression dark as she glanced sideways at Gu Beicheng, who looked at her with deep, inscrutable meaning. Coolly, she said, “Director, my match with Teacher Cheng isn’t finished yet.”

Gao Mingliang hesitated. “This…”

“Let her go again,” Gu Beicheng’s voice was hoarse, tinged with helplessness and indulgence. No matter how many times she tried, she would always call him “husband.”

“Mu Ran, you can do it!” Zuo Yunxuan handed Mu Ran a new snowboard, her sharp eyes filled with admiration.

Mu Ran nodded. “You’re very impressive now, even better than Shao Ping.”

At these words, the entire crowd fell silent. Who exactly was Mu Ran, to so casually evaluate two national athletes?

“Mu Ran, who do you think you are? Zuo Yunxuan and Shao Ping are both world-class athletes. What right do you have to judge their abilities?”

Fu Jiaojiao caught the fleeting look of tension on Zuo Yunxuan’s face just now, assuming she was upset by Mu Ran’s presumptuous comment. But before Mu Ran could reply, Fu Jiaojiao received a sharp glare from Zuo Yunxuan.

“What did I say wrong?”

“Everything you say is wrong.” Qi Jun dragged the troublemaker aside, warning in a low voice, “If you want to end up like Yun Fu, just keep provoking Sister Ran.”

Fu Jiaojiao was tossed aside with evident disdain. She clenched her hands, looking at Mu Ran with unwilling frustration, stomping her foot and biting her lip hard.

“I will win!” Mu Ran raised her chin proudly at Gu Beicheng, who stood apart from the crowd, then turned and strode to the lift ascending to the top of the slope.

“Mu Ran, be careful! Check your boards before you go down—don’t let them fall off again!” Shao Ping called after her, his tone anxious. The last incident had been nerve-wracking; he hoped it wouldn’t repeat.

“Jinx!” Zuo Yunxuan smacked Shao Ping hard, her cool eyes flashing with pride.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Shao Ping folded his arms defensively, a faint flush creeping onto his handsome face.

“Just now, Sister Ran said I’m better than you.”

Being recognized by Mu Mu, the world’s top freestyle skier, was Zuo Yunxuan’s dream.

“Yunxuan, is Xiao Ran a close friend of yours? You all seem very familiar with each other.” Gao Mingliang was a seasoned veteran; watching Mu Ran’s easy banter with the athletes, and seeing their favoritism and respect toward her, he was deeply curious about their relationship.

“Director, I didn’t expect you to be so gossipy,” Ren Nanxi teased.

Gao Mingliang flushed, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Xiao Ran’s skills aren’t like those of an amateur. Maybe she trained with you guys?”

“Hahaha, Director, you flatter us. Back when Sister Ran trained with the national team, we were still kids playing in the mud somewhere.” Shao Ping shook his head, regretting that they had never had the chance to compete with Mu Ran.

“Really? Mu Ran really trained with the national team?” Chen Liang, eavesdropping nearby, raised his voice excitedly, crowded in with an eager face. “I wonder if she knows Mu Mu—my idol!”

Zuo Yunxuan shot him a glare. “Why are you shouting?”

“Sorry, sorry.” Chen Liang bowed repeatedly.

“Don’t you have work to do?” Gao Mingliang squinted at him.

Chen Liang bolted. “Not at all, not at all.”

Gao Mingliang remained where he was, joining Shao Ping and the others in looking up at Mu Ran, who had just reached the summit. He sighed, “If only Xiao Ran had showcased her skiing prowess earlier, she’d have gone viral, gained countless fans, and wouldn’t be bullied and slandered in the entertainment industry as she is now.”

Shao Ping disagreed. “The entertainment industry is full of mad dogs—even if Sister Ran became famous, it would only be temporary…”

“I wonder why she chose show business. How much more carefree to soar across the snowfields…” Zuo Yunxuan shook her head. “Her college major was acting—she truly loves performing. Skiing is just a hobby. Besides, have you forgotten about those coaches who ostracized her back then?”

“Ah! Heaven is jealous of talent! Good luck, Mu Ran!” Shao Ping and Xu Nuo shouted encouragement to Mu Ran at the top.

At that moment, Mu Ran wore a confident smile, her entire presence exuding sharp, overwhelming strength.

Perhaps hearing their cheers from below, her smile deepened.

She turned her gaze to Gu Beicheng, who lounged lazily in his chair. Their eyes met across the distance, and tenderness overflowed in that silent exchange.

Mu Ran looked away, taking in the snowy expanse at her feet. Only in this white, crystalline world could she truly relax.

In her past life, Mu Ran had considered breaking into the spotlight through her skiing skills. She’d asked her agent, Feng Tianchi, but had been sternly warned not to stray from the proper path. As an actress, she was expected to win support through her acting, but for two years running, Feng Tianchi had failed to secure her a single role—how was she to win support?

Mu Ran closed her eyes, then opened them again after a moment. Now, no matter what it took, she would forge her own path.

She bent low and launched herself down the slope, reaching the jump point, vaulting into the air—two full flips, board grab, a 1620-degree spin—setting a new world record for women’s big air in freestyle skiing!

“Sister Ran! You’re awesome!”

“Mu Ran, wow! Still incredible!”

“Xiao Ran, be careful!”

Gu Beicheng watched her graceful figure with smiling eyes, his handsome face softening with warmth. When he saw Mu Ran land steadily, the tension in his heart finally eased a little.

He rose, somewhat urgently, and walked toward her.

Mu Ran looked up into Gu Beicheng’s deep, unreadable eyes. “I know I lost and I’m willing to accept it. You don’t need to rush over to remind me.”

“You didn’t lose. You just broke the women’s world record for big air.” Gu Beicheng bent down, gently removing her helmet, maintaining the posture as he gazed at her, eyes bright with amusement.

In the closeness, Mu Ran could faintly smell the fresh scent of mint on him. They stood so near.

“What’s wrong?” Mu Ran stepped back, lightly biting her lip.

He shook his head, his voice slow and deep. “I didn’t expect that the former world champion Mu Mu would still be so formidable after all these years of retirement.”

Mu Ran was stunned, her pupils widening as she leaned toward him. “Shh! I’m not.”

“You’re not? Then why are you so nervous?” Gu Beicheng’s gaze seemed to see through everything. As she hesitated, he wrapped his arm around her waist.

“What are you doing? Let go of me!”

“Are you Mu Mu?” His grip tightened.

Mu Ran glanced around at the ambiguous looks from the others, gritted her teeth, and pounded his chest with her fists. “Yes!”